Defence Minister Arun Jaitley handed over the Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LRSAM) jointly developed by India and Israel, to the Indian Navy at Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL) at Kanchanbagh, Hyderabad. The first batch of LRSAM, being inducted into the Navy, was symbolically handed over to Vice Admiral Karambir Singh, the vice-chief of naval staff.
- The Rocket Motor Static Test Facility was dedicated to the nation by Arun Jaitley at BDL’s Ibrahimpatnam Complex located near Hyderabad. An amount of 48 Crores spent on this facility.
- The Union Minister inaugurated ASTRA Manufacturing Facility. Astra weapon system is an indigenously developed Air-to-Air Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missile developed by DRDO. It comprises of Astra Launcher and Astra Missile. It is designed as a BVR missile with a range of 110 Km in head-on mode and 20 Km in tail-chase mode. BVR missiles are the latest in air to air combat.
- He also inaugurated the 5 MW Solar Photo Voltaic (SPV) Power Project at BDL, Bhanur Unit, Telangana State. As part of Govt of India’s Jawarharlal Nehru National Solar Mission(JNNSM).
About LRSAM:
i. LRSAM is an advanced combat suit for missile defence against air targets and missiles, and has full capabilities of air and surface surveillance, threat alert and fire control.
ii. The other LRSAM we have is BARAK 8 . It is also a joint collaboration project of India and Israel.This LRSAM was developed by DRDO-IAI (Defence Research & Development Organization – Israeli Aircraft Industries) as a Joint Development Contract with defined work-share.
iii. The missile is same for Tri Services viz., Navy, Air Force and Army.
About BVR missiles:
i. A beyond-visual- range missile (BVR) is an air-to- air missile (BVRAAM) that is capable of engaging at ranges of 20 nmi (37 km) or beyond.
ii. This range has been achieved using dual pulse rocket motors or booster rocket motor and ramjet sustainer motor.
iii. In addition to the range capability, the missile must also be capable of tracking its
target at this range or of acquiring the target in flight.
About BDL:
Public sector BDL is the missile production agency for the three-armed forces. These efforts were accompanied by the Defence Research and Development Organisation DRDO as the development agency.
